Nation

'Stop postponing Euro Standard 4'

JOHOR BARU: The Government should stop postponing the introduction of diesel that complies with Euro Standard 4 in the country if it wants cleaner smoke emission by heavy vehicles, says Johor Lorry Operators Association president Anthony Tan Boon Fiong.

He said the fuel grade was supposed to hit the market three years ago.

There were plans earlier to make Euro Standard 4 diesel available in Malaysia by June next year, but again it was postponed to 2018, he said.

“We urged the Government to take firm action by asking petroleum companies to offer the fuel by 2015 and not wait until 2018,” he said.

Tan said buses and lorries emitted smoke beyond the permissible level due to use of Euro Standard 2 diesel which has higher sulphur content.

He added that diesel-powered vehicles in Thailand and Singapore were already using Euro Standard 4 and 5 fuel respectively.

He said that from July 1, foreign-registered vehicles entering Singa­pore must meet higher standards on smoke emission or be turned back.

Under the republic’s National Environment Agency smoke emission ruling, all diesel vehicles must achieve a smoke opacity test result of 40 Hartridge Smoke Units or lower. This is 10 units lower than the previous standard.

“Fresh produce cannot be exported to the republic if our lorries do not meet the standard,” said Tan.

Causeway Link services bus operator Handal Indah Sdn Bhd managing director Lim Han Weng said congestion at the Causeway would worsen in July with the stringent inspection on smoke emission on the Singapore side.

The number of our vehicles turned away at present was small as the Singapore authorities only conducted random checks, he said.